Ring video leads to man’s arrest in Wilmington break-in

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Wilmington Police say they were able to make an arrest last week after a homeowner posted Ring video online of someone breaking into his home.

Police arrested 53-year-old Thomas Wilson, Jr and charge him with felony breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, and bicycle theft.

Thomas Wilson, Jr (Photo: WPD)

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According to WPD, Wilson’s arrest came after a Ring customer posted video of the suspect on the Neighbors app wandering around his property. Within an hour, officers were able to identify, locate Wilson, and arrest him.

In a press release Tuesday, the Wilmington Police Department announced they are partnering with the Neighbors app by Ring.

This free app is a way for residents to receive real-time local crime and safety updates and important information directly from their smartphones.

Ring launched the Neighbors app in May 2018 as part of their mission to support safer neighborhoods and more connected communities by creating a free tool for residents and local law enforcement to share real-time local crime and safety information whether or not they own a Ring device.

The Neighbors app network has millions of users across the nation and has already been instrumental in catching package thieves, stopping burglaries, and keeping neighborhoods safe.

“We realize that we can no longer just fight crime through traditional methods, but we must employ innovative technology and methods like the Neighbors app from Ring. This app will help us to gather critical information to solve crimes,” says Wilmington Police Chief Ralph Evangelous. “Our partnership with Ring has already proven to be successful.”

Wilmington residents can text “wilmingtonnc” to 555888 from their smartphone to download the Neighbors app for free on iOS and Android or download the app from https://download.ring.com/wilmington. Once downloaded, residents can join their digital neighborhood and use the app to: view neighborhood activity; share crime and safety-related videos, photos and text-based posts; and receive regional safety alerts from their neighbors, local law enforcement and the Ring team – all in real time.